| Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, being | | | | 9 Vietnam 50% 41,767,788 |
| exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam and | | | | 10 Singapore 43% 1,880,931 |
| Hinduism. It was founded in Northern India by the first | | | | There are basically two type of Buddhism: |
| known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In 535 BCE, he | | | | There are many different variations which have |
| attained enlightenment and assumed the title Lord | | | | developed with little conflict. This has been because at |
| Buddha (one who has awakened). Siddhartha | | | | its core is a philosophical system to which such |
| Gautama was born in Lumbini, now part of Nepal.Top | | | | additions can be easily grafted. |
| 10 countries with the highest percent of Buddhists. | | | | The main branches: |
| | | | Theravada or Hinayana - the Lesser Vehicle: |
| Rank Country % Buddhist Population | | | | Hinayana is practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, |
| 1 Thailand 94% 61,517,708 | | | | Cambodia and Laos. The Lesser Vehicle Buddhism is |
| 2 Cambodia 93% 12,654,574 | | | | based on the teaching of the Vinaya Pitaka. Vinaya |
| 3 Mongolia 93% 2,595,882 | | | | Pitaka thought that Buddha was a man, a very special |
| 4 Myanmar 90% 38,618,517 | | | | man, a very special person but nevertheless |
| 5 Bhutan 74% 1,651,895 | | | | human.The Theravada believes that there is no reality |
| 6 Japan 71% 90,466,243 | | | | corresponding to the concept of God that we can rely |
| 7 Sri Lanka 70% 14,045,343 | | | | on for salvation. |
| 8 Laos 60% 3,730,284 | | | | |